Guide · Seasons

Kanazawa in winter, and the city in every other season

Kanazawa in winter means snowfall, rope cones over the pines and short days. Here is what each month brings, from the April blossom to the November leaves, with the normals of the city's weather station.

Check availabilityfrom $61 · cancellation is free

Editorial team, kanazawacastle.comUpdated October 25, 2026Reading time 6 min23 sources

Castle and samurai walk in Kanazawa The tour this guide is about Castle and samurai walk in Kanazawa 4.9 (247 reviews) 2.5 to 3 hoursLive guide in EnglishNagamachi, castle and Kenroku-en from$61per person Check availabilityFree cancellation up to 24 hrs before

In short

01Snow
First snow in early December; most falls in January and February.12
02Coldest
January averages a high of 7.1 °C and a low of 1.2 °C.3
03Warmest
August averages a high of 31.3 °C.3
04Blossom
Cherry trees bloom in April across Ishikawa.4
05Leaves
Autumn colour peaks in mid to late November.5

Four distinct seasons

Ishikawa has four clear seasons: a warm, pleasant spring, a hot and humid summer, a cool autumn and a snowbound winter.6 Kanazawa sits on the Sea of Japan side of the country, where the winter monsoon brings heavy cloud and snow, so the city looks completely different in January than in May. Each season has its own reason to come, and its own clothes to pack. The castle, the samurai lanes and the gardens stay open all year, so there is no wrong month, only different pictures to take home.7

It is also a wet city. The normal annual precipitation at the weather station is 2,401.5 mm, spread across every month rather than packed into one rainy season.8 December is the wettest month at 301.1 mm.3 An umbrella earns its place in your bag at any time of year.

Day length swings widely too. In mid-December daylight lasts only 9.7 hours, against 14.6 hours in mid-June.3 Winter sightseeing days are therefore short, and summer evenings long and warm, which changes how you plan the castle, the gardens and the walk between the districts. Over the year the Kanazawa temperature runs from an average February low of 1.0 °C to an average August high of 31.3 °C.3

The year in Kanazawa

What each season brings

  1. April

    Blossom

    Cherry trees bloom; roughly 400 of them light up in the castle park.49

  2. Mid-June to mid-July

    Rainy season

    Very wet weeks; travel with an umbrella.10

  3. August

    Peak heat

    Average highs of 31.3 °C and humid nights.3

  4. Mid to late November

    Leaves and ropes

    Autumn colour and the first yukitsuri in Kenroku-en.511

  5. January and February

    Deep winter

    Most of the snow falls, with clear days between.2

Snow on the castle town

Winter is the season people picture when they think of Kanazawa: white roofs over the teahouse districts and rope cones over the pines of Kenroku-en. The first snow arrives in early December, and snowfall continues through January and February, though many winter days are clear.12 A bright morning after a night of snow is the moment to be out early.

At the city's weather station the normal snowfall in January adds up to 67 cm, with a deepest snow cover of 22 cm; February brings 53 cm.1213 January also counts 23 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation and a high of only 7.1 °C, so expect cold, damp days with short clear spells between them.3

Snow tires are a must if you drive in Ishikawa in winter.14 In the city, the bigger risk is slipping on wet stone. The tourist information center at Kanazawa Station rents snow boots, so you do not have to pack a pair.15 Good gloves and a hat make the outdoor sights far more pleasant. Plan indoor stops between the cold stretches: a teahouse museum in Higashi Chaya, the villa of Seisonkaku by the garden, or a warm cafe in an old merchant house, then back out when the sky clears.

Month by month

Darkness and rainy days through the year

Hours without sunDays with precipitationSeason
Jan: 14.1 h without sun, 23 days with precipitation 14 JanFeb: 13.2 h without sun, 19 days with precipitation 13 FebMar: 12.1 h without sun, 16 days with precipitation 12 MarApr: 10.9 h without sun, 12 days with precipitation 11 AprMay: 9.9 h without sun, 10 days with precipitation 10 MayJun: 9.4 h without sun, 11 days with precipitation 9 JunJul: 9.6 h without sun, 13 days with precipitation 10 JulAug: 10.4 h without sun, 9 days with precipitation 10 AugSep: 11.5 h without sun, 12 days with precipitation 12 SepOct: 12.7 h without sun, 13 days with precipitation 13 OctNov: 13.7 h without sun, 17 days with precipitation 14 NovDec: 14.3 h without sun, 23 days with precipitation 14 Dec
Bars give the hours of darkness at mid-month, worked out by us, beside the rainy days of 1 mm or more recorded by the Japan Meteorological Agency at Kanazawa, 1991 to 2020.3

Climate normals

Temperatures, rain and daylight in Kanazawa

MonthDaylight (h)Darkness (h)High / lowWet daysIn Kanazawa
Jan9.914.17 / 1 °C23Snow, clear days too
Feb10.813.28 / 1 °C19Snow, clear days too
Mar11.912.112 / 3 °C16Snow melts
Apr13.110.917 / 8 °C12Cherry blossom
May14.19.922 / 14 °C10Warm spring
Jun14.69.426 / 18 °C11Rainy season begins
Jul14.49.630 / 23 °C13Rainy season ends, hot
Aug13.610.431 / 24 °C9Hot and humid
Sep12.511.527 / 20 °C12Warm early autumn
Oct11.312.722 / 14 °C13Comfortable autumn
Nov10.313.716 / 8 °C17Leaves, yukitsuri
Dec9.714.310 / 4 °C23First snow

Temperatures (mean daily maximum and minimum) and wet days, counted from 1 mm, come from the Japan Meteorological Agency's Kanazawa normals, 1991 to 2020; we work out the mid-month daylight ourselves.3 Season according to Ishikawa Travel.6

Three seasons compared

Blossom, leaves or snow

Spring, April and May Mild and bright

Spring

April and May

Average high
17.3 to 22.3 °C
Highlight
Cherry blossom
Wet days
12 in April
See the walk
Autumn, Mid to late November Colour

Autumn

Mid to late November

Average high
15.9 °C
Highlight
Maples and zelkovas
Wet days
17 in November
See the walk
Winter, January and February Snow

Winter

January and February

Average high
7.1 to 7.8 °C
Highlight
Yukitsuri in snow
Snowfall
67 cm in January
See the walk

Decision helper

Which month suits your trip?

Start from the picture you want to take home

April

Cherry trees bloom, and the castle park lights them at night.49

May or October

Average highs of 22.3 °C in May and 21.8 °C in October.3

Mid to late November

The leaves are at their most vibrant then.5

January or February

Snowfall continues through both months, with clear days in between.2

July or August

Up to 14.4 hours of daylight in mid-July.3

The first snow arrives in December. Snowfall continues throughout January and February, although many winter days are clear.

Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Source 2

Yukitsuri and the winter garden

Every November the groundskeepers of Kenroku-en put up yukitsuri, tree supports of bamboo and rope that keep the weight of the coming snow from breaking the branches.11 The ropes fan out from a pole at the top of the tree like the ribs of an umbrella, and with snow on them they turn the garden into a study in white lines.

The garden opens 8:00 to 17:00 from 16 October to the end of February, and free early entry starts at 6:00 in those months.1617 An early visit after snowfall gives you clean, untrodden scenes, and the Kasumiga-ike pond takes on a quiet, almost silver look under a grey sky.

The castle's outer walls are lit every evening until 22:00, and snow on the lead-tiled roofs and white walls makes the lit castle especially striking.18 The lead tiles turn silvery white with weather, which is why the castle looks pale even in summer; in snow, roof and wall almost merge.19

Checklist

Packing by season

01

Winter

  • Warm layers, gloves and a hat
  • Shoes with grip, or rented snow boots
  • A waterproof for sleet and wet snow
02

Summer

  • A hat and light clothes
  • An umbrella from mid-June to mid-July
  • Early starts to beat the heat

Price calculator

A guided day in any season, for your group

Choose a tour and the number of people

People 2

Total from$121

pp from $61

Check availabilityfree cancellation

Each total multiplies the lowest current GetYourGuide price of that Kanazawa listing by the number of people, converted at today’s ECB rate; the checkout page has the final amount.

Video

A snowfall walk through Kenroku-en

Nothing loads until you tap play.

Spring blossom and early summer

Most of the snow melts by the end of March, and the colour returns quickly. Cherry blossom in Kanazawa arrives in April, and Kenroku-en is one of the most popular places in Ishikawa to see it.4 The castle park adds roughly 400 cherry trees, which are lit at night in blossom season.9

April averages a high of 17.3 °C and May 22.3 °C, comfortable walking weather for the castle, the gardens and the lanes of Nagamachi.3 May has the fewest wet days of the first half of the year, 10, which makes it a strong month for a first visit.3

In blossom season the free early hour at Kenroku-en, which begins at 5:00 in March and 4:00 from April, is worth using.17 Bring a light jacket for the mornings and evenings, when the temperature drops well below the daytime figures, especially in March, when the average low is only 3.4 °C.3

Rainy season and the hot months

The rainy season runs from mid-June to mid-July and is very wet, so travel with rain gear.10 July brings 233.4 mm of rain in an average year.3 Then the heat peaks, and the August average climbs to 31.3 °C by day and stays at 24.1 °C at night.3

Summer is still a fine time to visit if you plan around the heat. Start early, when Kenroku-en opens for free from 4:00, spend the middle of the day in the city's museums, and return to the streets in the evening.17 The moss in the garden is at its greenest, and long daylight leaves time for everything.

Drink water, wear a hat and choose clothes that breathe. The walk sold on this site is about 2.5 to 3 km at a relaxed pace, with time for photos and short breaks, which helps on a hot morning. August has the fewest wet days of the year, just 9 on average.3

Autumn leaves and the first ropes

Early autumn has many warm days, and the weather stays comfortable for sightseeing until early November.20 October averages a high of 21.8 °C, pleasant for long walks between the districts, though it still sees 13 wet days.3 September is warm and also one of the wettest months, at 231.9 mm.3

The leaves are at their most vibrant in mid to late November.5 In Kenroku-en, the maples and zelkovas in the south-east of the garden turn gold, crimson and russet, and the first yukitsuri are going up at the same time, so late November gives you both pictures.2111

November cools quickly: the average high falls to 15.9 °C and the month counts 17 wet days, so pack layers and a waterproof.3 By late November the light is soft and low all day, flattering for photographs of the teahouse fronts and the castle walls.

The best time to visit Kanazawa

There is no single best time to visit Kanazawa; it depends on what you want. For mild weather and blossom, come in April or May. For autumn colour, aim for mid to late November.45 For snow, rope cones and quiet streets, choose January or February, and accept short, cold days.2

Summer suits travellers who rise early and enjoy long evenings, while the rainy season from mid-June to mid-July is the time to expect wet days.10 Whatever the month, the castle park opens every day, and the walk sold on this site can be dropped at no cost up to 24 hours ahead, which lets you move it if the weather turns.7

A winter trip can also take in the Shirakawa-go Light-Up, held in 2027 on four Sunday and holiday dates in January.22 The thatched village sits deep in snow then, so plan the bus and your clothing carefully, and treat it as a highlight rather than an add-on to a busy day. Lodging booked through the village's tourist association for those nights is allocated by lottery, so plan to come and go the same evening unless you win a room.23

Your castle walk

Samurai lanes, castle gates and the garden in one walk.

Pick a date, meet at Korinbo, and keep the option to cancel at no cost for up to 24 hours before.

See datesfrom $61 · cancellation is free 4.9 · 247 reviews, verified

You ask,we answer.

Does it snow in the city?

Yes, from early December. Normal January snowfall at the weather station is 67 cm, with a deepest cover of 22 cm.112

How cold does it get?

January averages 1.2 °C at night. Daytime highs average 7.1 °C in January and 7.8 °C in February.3

When do the cherry trees bloom?

In April. Kenroku-en is one of the most popular places in Ishikawa to see the blossom.4

When are the autumn leaves best?

Mid to late November. The maples and zelkovas in Kenroku-en turn gold, crimson and russet.521

When is the rainy season?

Mid-June to mid-July. It is very wet, and July averages 233.4 mm of rain at the city's weather station.103

What are the snow ropes in the garden?

Yukitsuri. Bamboo and rope supports put up every November to protect the branches from snow.11

Can I rent snow boots?

Yes, at the station. The tourist information center at Kanazawa Station rents them in winter.15

Sources

Evidence for this guide

  1. 1
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Seasons
    ↩
  2. 2
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Seasons
    ↩
  3. 3↩
  4. 4
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Seasons
    ↩
  5. 5
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Seasons
    ↩
  6. 6
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Seasons
    ↩
  7. 7
    Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Management OfficeKanazawa Castle Park: Information for Visitors
    ↩
  8. 8↩
  9. 9
    Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Management OfficeThe Charm of Kanazawa Castle Park
    ↩
  10. 10
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Seasons
    ↩
  11. 11
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Seasons
    ↩
  12. 12↩
  13. 13↩
  14. 14
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Getting Around Ishikawa
    ↩
  15. 15
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Seasons
    ↩
  16. 16
    Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Management OfficeKenroku-en: Guidance
    ↩
  17. 17
    Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Management OfficeKenroku-en: Guidance
    ↩
  18. 18
    Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Management OfficeKanazawa Castle Park: Extended Evening Hours & Illuminations
    ↩
  19. 19
    Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Management OfficeTechniques of Lead Tiles
    ↩
  20. 20
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Seasons
    ↩
  21. 21
    Ishikawa Prefecture (Ishikawa Travel)Kenrokuen Garden
    ↩
  22. 22
    Shirakawa-go Tourist AssociationShirakawa-go Tourist Association (home page)
    ↩
  23. 23
    Shirakawa-go Tourist AssociationShirakawa-go Tourist Association (home page)
    ↩

Keep reading

More guides to Kanazawa

Kenrokuen Garden: hours, fees, seasons and the six qualitiesKenrokuen Garden: hours, fees, seasons and the six qualities Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa: teahouses, geiko and gold leafHigashi Chaya District, Kanazawa: teahouses, geiko and gold leaf Nagamachi samurai district: the Nomura house, canals and earthen wallsNagamachi samurai district: the Nomura house, canals and earthen walls Ninja Temple in Kanazawa: Myoryuji, reservations and what is insideNinja Temple in Kanazawa: Myoryuji, reservations and what is inside
Castle and samurai walk in Kanazawa 4.9 (247) · Free cancellation Typically booked up 6 days in advance from$61 Check availabilityfrom $61 · pay at a later date